For all offered compensations, Hanoi’s “tube inhabitants” will not let themselves be dislodged from their housings in the thousand-year-old neighborhood. The Old Quarter of ${bigcity_Hanoi:"Hanoi"} holds a dark tunnel with several tiny rooms inside. Most people who live there call these apartments their home for all of their lives. And often, their housings belonged to their ancestors. Hence, the tenants do not want to be relocated by the Vietnamese authorities. Despite bad living conditions and the promise of considerable indemnification, none of the residents want to leave.

“I don't want to move anywhere else” or “I enjoy living here and I will die here” – these are statements by tube residents who do not want to move away from the crowded, noisy Old Town. It is a life among numerous stores, craftsmen, hotels, travel agencies, small restaurants mixed with dashing motorbikes, strolling pedestrians and, of course, lots of curious tourists. The latter are divided on the governmental plans. Some support the unbending inhabitants fighting for the unique spirit of the Old Quarter: “This is a living city,” and “We want to see the people’s lives.”

Advocates of the relocation program argue that “it is too crowded” due to the occupied tunnel in the middle of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. After two years of negotiations, several families have agreed to move to a new accommodation and been given compensation. Yet, as nobody is forced to go, authorities will need patience and should not to fall into despair when trying to carry out their relocation plan. (Source: AFP)